In addition to the sense of perseverance and accomplishment that comes with finishing a 5K, the organizers of the Bacon Chase have added another incentive: bacon. During their two races?the 5K Piggy Pilgrimage, which is a traditional 5K, and the 0.05K Blitz to Bacon, which is a 164-foot sprint?runners can munch on unlimited bacon bits before feasting on unlimited amounts of bacon at the finish line. Runners 21 and older can wash down the savory strips of bacon with a bloody mary, and all runners get a Bacon Chase T-shirt and a signature bacon-scented bib. The festival opens at 8 a.m. and features many bacon-themed activities, plus music.
The festive day serves a greater purpose, too. Attendees will be able to register to become a St. Jude Hero, raise money for St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital, or both.

When Roald Dahl wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he imagined a much-coveted golden ticket that granted access to myriad wonders and unveiled the inner workings of an entire industry. MetaBody created a real-life version of that ticket with the MetaBody Yoga & Fitness Pass, though it applies to fitness instead of candy. The pass grants access not to a single gym but to classes at a variety of local studios, specializing in everything from yoga to boot camp. With the freedom to move from location to location, students can sample different regimens, instructors, and styles of exercise to cobble together a program that fits their needs and goals. MetaBody's nutritionists supplement class packages by coaching clients in healthy eating, recipe cooking, and speed-reading nutrition-fact labels.

The inspiring trainers at each MetaBody location lead troops of workouteers in results-oriented workouts several times weekly. Sweat sessions utilize a variety of exercises and disciplines to produce full-body results in a supportive environment, ideal for beginners and hard-core core-hardeners alike. During any class, motivational instructors will use the instinctual distrust of routine to their advantage. Begin a day of litigating with a refreshing early-morning boot-camp session, or wind down by burning evidence and pounds with a late-evening yoga class. Muscles are kept guessing with new and challenging moves during each session, so participants never fall into a boring, ineffective routine, such as regular teeth brushing. In addition to the fitness classes, students receive a success guide to help prepare for imminent pound loss, a nutrition guide, and a $100 gift certificate for individual coaching. Because the pass sets a 10-class cap at any given location, roving fitness mavens can further shake up their workout regimens by vetting a series of classes or instructors that work best for them.

Fans of Mario Kart know Rainbow Road as a glow-in-the-dark racecourse in outer space. So do fans of ABC's The Bachelor, only theirs is located on earth and strewn with more celebrities than turtle shells. To them, it's the series of inflatable arches that flashed hypnotically around Juan Pablo and Kat as they hurtled through the Electric Run. Seth Rogen, Carmen Electra, and a pink-wigged Vanessa Hudgens have also been spotted among the global event's hordes of runners and walkers.
Rainbow Road is just one of many "lands" that make up Electric Run's luminescent 5K. Any given Electric Run course contains five to seven of these brightly lit zones, each decorated according to its theme with neon trees, hanging umbrellas, phosphorescent cacti, and cascading fountains. Each land also matches the surroundings with its own soundtrack: upbeat and energizing for the wilder areas, calming and melodic for the surreal ones. Once the sun sets, participants travel through them all at their preferred pace. Everyone arrives at the same final destination, however—a DJ-propelled afterparty that keeps the night illuminated until the thunderous ka-chunk of the sun's timecard.

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Running itself is a fairly simple exercise, but running outdoors comes with its own set of unspoken rules. Is spitting frowned upon? Is there a polite way to pass slowpokes? We asked ultramarathoner, triathlete, and recent Boston Marathon qualifier Caitlin Constantine of the blog Fit and Feminist to share her own tips for running outdoors.Should I wave at other runners?“This is a tough one,” Constantine says. “I’ll put my hand up or give a nod, just because that tends to be my personality. I’ve got that whole Midwestern upbringing thing, where I don’t have a problem talking to strangers. But in other areas of the country, people might not be so open to that.” In the end, it’s up to you. Some people like to feel a sense of camaraderie with other runners, whereas others prefer to tune out the world around them. If you’re in a friendly mood, go ahead and give a short wave or nod.What if I need to pass someone?“If you’re coming up on somebody,” Constantine advises, “try to observe where they are and see how they’re moving—if they’re going to one side or the other—so you don’t run into them.” Don’t be shy about speaking up, either. Constantine will often “try to give a little bit of a signal, like, ‘Hey, coming up behind you.’” This is especially important on narrow trails and sidewalks, where your sudden proximity can catch people by surprise and it’s not always apparent whether you’re friend or foe. Be aware that women especially might be a little apprehensive and don’t like being snuck up on. “I would just urge men to be cognizant of that kind of thing,” Constantine says.How much should I worry about cars?According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, cars killed more than 4,700 pedestrians—including runners—in 2013. This is no reason to call off your morning run, but it is a good reason to be careful on the streets. Always run against the flow of traffic, and always be alert. “I operate with the assumption that no car is ever going to see me,” Constantine says. “If that means that I have to slow down or stop or wait, I will. It’s not going to derail your training if you stop and wait for a car to turn in front of you.”Finally, is it okay to spit?“I’m a big spitter,” Constantine admits. “I recognize that it’s disgusting, and that a lot of people don’t want to see it, but I also need to do it for my own purposes—for my own performance and comfort. So I’ll always make an effort to aim it away from people so they don’t have to see it.” Running to one side, where you won’t risk accidentally hitting someone, is the best bet any time you need to expel some fluids. If you’re surrounded by other runners, as you likely will be in a race, Constantine suggests staying put and spitting toward the front. Just try to put some power behind it, for your own sake.

A 5K is one thing, but what if you throw a chest-deep pit of mud into the mix? Or a 9-foot-high wall? Or a line of actual fire to leap over? It might seem next to impossible to prepare for these kinds of obstacles without digging a trench through your neighbor’s tulip bed. Luckily, race organizer Rob Dickens of Rugged Maniac has some tips on how to train for a mud run. With events in 18 states plus Canada, Rugged Maniac has given Rob plenty of experience in preparing for more unconventional courses, a process he says isn’t as daunting as you think.First Things, First: Train as a Runner
Obstacles or no, mud runs are still a simple foot race at heart. “If you want to get the fastest time, focus on running,” Rob says. “Most winners are actually former long-distance runners.” If you’re already used to 5Ks, then you should rest assured that you’ll be A-OK on race day. If you’re new to the sport, however, it’s important to work up to running 3 miles at a time. Interval training—alternating periods of intense exertion (running) with periods of rest (walking)—is a great way to start. Be sure to gradually decrease the amount of time you walk until you’re able to hit that 3-mile mark without stopping.Build Up Your Quads“You’re jumping, crawling, sliding, running, and tackling a host of obstacles that are both fun and physically challenging,” Rob says, which is why quad strength is important. In addition to leaping over obstacles and fighting your way up steep (often muddy) hills, your mud run might even include trampolines. “It looks pretty easy, but most people struggle to bend their knees at the right time and end up flailing around … until they figure it out.” To prepare yourself for all that jumping, the dreaded burpee workout is your best friend. Since they simultaneously work your quads and core (plus your hamstrings and calves), fitting burpees into your routine can help keep you on your feet.Incorporate Arm Workouts Into Your Running Routine“You have to use ALL of your body, not just your legs,” Rob points out. With obstacles like Rugged Maniac’s “The Ringer, which is a series of ring-shaped handholds suspended over water,” or the 9- and 10-foot-high walls that are a staple of many mud runs, a good grip and strong arms are important. Rob suggests breaking up your running routine with standard pushups and pull-ups to build muscle.Don’t Forget to Mentally PrepareAs physically demanding as a mud run can be, there’s an equally strong potential for psychological exhaustion. For instance, a fear of heights could hinder the climbing aspect of the race. Likewise, claustrophobia can come into play when crawling through cramped tubes or tunnels. If you’re feeling uneasy about these or any other obstacles, it’s important to remember that it’s perfectly acceptable to skip them. You don’t even have to run if you don’t want to—it’s all about fun. “If you just want to come out and experience the obstacles and party in the festival, you don’t really have to train at all!” Guess you’re off the hook for those burpees, then. Photo: courtesy of Rugged Maniac.

Molly Hanks loves to make people cry. Tears of joy, that is. As the head of Title Nine’s sports-bra division, she’s seen how a well-fitting sports bra can transform a person’s life. “I’ve had people in tears in the dressing room saying, ‘Oh my God, I can go running’…You just make such a difference in people’s lives, health, and well-being.”And even those who exercise regularly aren’t necessarily as knowledgeable about sports bras as they should be. Molly let us in on four of her best secrets for finding and maintaining a good sports bra, some of which might surprise you.1. Wear the right size.This might seem obvious, but according to Molly, there’s a good chance you’re not. “Almost everybody’s wearing the wrong size bra!” she says. “It’s just shocking!” She recommends visiting a retail store for a professional fitting. (You could also use an online resource like Title Nine’s bra fit calculator.)While many sports bras come in S/M/L sizing, Molly recommends women with C cups or larger find bras with a cup and band size. This may not be the same as your regular bra size. “For a sports bra, you want to go down in the band and up a cup,” Molly says. That’s partially because sports-bra size is about overall volume. For instance, a 34C is equal in volume to a 32D, but the 32D will have a more supportive band.And band fit may be the most important element of all. “Ninety percent of the support comes from the band,” Molly says. “You want the band to be parallel to the ground, parallel in the front and back. You don’t want [it to] arch.” It should feel snug, but not too tight—you shouldn’t be able to fit more than two fingers under the band.2. Find the right bra for your body and your workout.After fit, construction elements are the most important factor in choosing a bra. Molly referenced Title Nine’s barbell rating system to illustrate how different bras can suit different figures and levels of activity.For example, strappy or seamless bras are great for smaller busts, or anyone doing a low-impact activity such as yoga or walking. But someone with a larger bust who is running or horseback riding should look for larger straps and more seaming. “Generally [more] seam[s] will mean more support,” Molly says.Those with chafing concerns—such as marathoners—should look for smooth, bonded seams, and avoid potentially irritating front closures.3. Take it for a spin.When trying a bra on, “You should totally bounce around!” Molly says. Some stores will even let you take out bras for a test run. “Sometimes you don’t know until you go for a run in it,” she says. “Bras are really a lot like running shoes. Certain brands are just going to fit your body better.” Find a store with a good return policy so you can exchange bras that aren’t working out.4. Take care of your bra.Investing in a good sports bra is pointless if you don’t treat it right. Here are Molly’s three big bra-care don’ts: Don’t wash it every time you wear it. “I will only wash my sports bra every three [workouts],” she says. “I tell people to just take it in the shower [between washes] and rinse it out really quickly.” “Don’t put it in the dryer. That can really take a toll on it.” Don’t use fabric softener. It can erode the fabric’s sweat-wicking properties.Her minimalist approach isn’t just good for your bras, it’s also good for your body. The ligaments that support breasts are delicate, and a worn-out bra “can really damage breast tissue,” Molly says. “You can really stretch out those ligaments, and they just don’t recover. Gravity is eventually going to do that…but everything’s in place a lot more for a lot longer with a well-fitting bra.”